Here’s our January 2019 client newsletter.

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11 House Cleaning Secrets

Soil control is an important part of keeping your home clean and healthy. The Institute of Cleaning and Restoration Certification defines soil as any undesirable substance that is foreign to a surface. Practicing soil control means limiting the buildup of soil on surfaces. Limiting soil equals a clean and healthy home. Here are 11 tips to help you practice soil control.

1. Keep dirt outside by keeping all entry areas and garage floors swept and clean. Pressure wash walkways, porches and stairs leading to the entrances to your house. It takes 12 times more effort, time and money to remove soil from your home than it does to prevent it entering in the first place.

2. Remove dirt before it enters the house with door mats. Again, the idea is to limit the amount of soil that enters from outside. Use water resistant door mats made of non-absorbent, mold resistant fibers outside every entrance to your home.

3. Stop dirt at the door by adding another doormat just inside your home. This mat should be made of an absorbent material such as nylon, cotton or wool. Washable throw rugs work great, provided they don’t slide around or become a tripping hazard. Vacuum or wash the mat twice a week.

4. Keep outdoor shoes out of the house. Take off your shoes at the door and wear indoor shoes, slippers or socks around the house. Don’t go barefoot all the time; the natural oils on your feet attach to the carpet and attract soil.

5. Brush and groom your pets regularly – preferably outdoors.

6. Change your furnace filter every 30 days when it is in use. Opt for a high efficiency allergen-trapping filter – it will be $15-20 well-spent.

7. Keep your kitchen vent hood clean… and use it. These vents trap moisture, oils and odors that would otherwise end up in your carpet.

8. Use a bathroom vent. Humidity in the bathroom can lead to mold growth. Let the fan run 10 minutes after you shower or bathe.

9. Vacuum regularly.  This is the most important step in carpet maintenance. 74-79% of the soil in typical household carpet can be removed by regular vacuuming. If these dry soils are allowed to remain, some of them break down and oxidize, creating a perfect breeding ground for fungi, bacteria and unpleasant odors. Grittier soils adhere to sticky or oily residues on carpet fibers, causing abrasion and permanent damage. Regular vacuuming reduces these effects so carpets last longer.

10. Vacuum furniture. You should vacuum your upholstered furniture, drapery and blinds for the same reasons listed above. When you dust your furniture, do so gently, and slowly. It is best to do this with a duster attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Allow the dust to settle for an hour or so; then vacuum the carpet or floor.

11. Have your carpets and upholstery professionally cleaned at least once a year, at a minimum. Homes with more people, pets and especially those with young children, should be cleaned more frequently.

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Why do Spots Come Back?

Naturally, you expect your carpets to look better after cleaning than before. So it may come as a surprise when some of the spots return. There are two reasons that this can happen: re-soiling from various residues and soil-wicking.

Re-soiling

Re-soiling is the result of new soil that is attracted to an oily or sticky residue on the carpet. One of the most common residues is left behind by common spot removers. Some of the products sold at grocery and home improvement stores can leave behind sticky, soil-attracting residues, especially when they are over-applied or not thoroughly rinsed.

Other residues that cause rapid resoiling are food grease, animal body oils, adhesive-tape residue, petroleum-based oils, moisturizing lotion, hair-spray, tanning oil, and sugar from spilled drinks. Once the visible soil is cleaned away from these areas, the carpet will look clean. However, the invisible residue acts as a soil magnet, leading to rapid re-soiling. This can take days or even a few weeks to occur.

Soil-wicking

Soil-wicking is another, common reason that spots reappear after cleaning.

Soilwicking is a result of how carpet is made and how it dries. Carpet is made up of multiple layers. Each of these layers plays a role in soil wicking. The yarns that you see in the face of the carpet are stitched into a thin, woven fabric called the primary backing. This primary backing can be seen by parting the fibers of the carpet and looking down between the rows of yarns.

During “normal” carpet cleaning, the intent is to clean the face yarns only. But sometimes spots, spills, and pet urine penetrate the primary backing. If you look at the back of the carpet, you will see the secondary backing, a coarser, stiffer woven material designed to give the carpet more strength and stability. The secondary backing creates a capillary action that can spread a spill out to a much larger area than you see on the surface. Just a 2-4 ounce spill can create a 12-inch diameter spot on the back of the carpet.

Between the primary and secondary backings, there is a layer of latex adhesive holding it all together. Some spills can penetrate into this layer and dry. These deposits can be “reactivated” by normal cleaning and wick to the surface of the carpet fibers during the normal drying process. These returning spots can be as much of a surprise to your carpet cleaning professional as they are to you.

The reason the spots return has to do with the mechanics of capillary action. As carpet dries, water evaporates from the tips of the carpet yarns, drawing some of the remaining moisture behind it. If there is any kind of soil or spill at the base of the yarns or in the backing, it too can be drawn up to the yarn tips. Unfortunately, while water readily evaporates, soils do not. So the spots that were hidden in the backing system are now at the top of the carpet where they can create a visibly noticeable spot. Correcting recurring spots may simply require a thorough rinse. Other times, specialized cleaning agents and more intensive cleaning techniques are needed.

While we do our best to prevent recurring spots, it does happen sometimes. If you ever see a spot come back after Professional Carpet Systems cleans your carpet, please call us as soon as possible so we can return and properly address the situation. Once we find the cause, we’ll use special techniques to correct it and leave your carpet spotless again.

Here’s our November 2018 Client Newsletter.

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Food Spills on Carpet.

A Few Do’s and Don’ts

You vacuum twice a week, like clockwork. You ask everyone to take their shoes off at the door, leave your muddy shoes on the garage stoop, and toss your throw rugs in the washer every weekend. You do your level best to keep dirt outside where it belongs and pollutants inside your home to a minimum.

But no family is perfect.

Despite your best efforts at keeping spaghetti in the kitchen and dirt in the garden, no matter how careful you are, sooner or later it will happen. Someone will spill food or drink onto your carpet. You may see it the second it happens, or you may not spot it until it has dried and set. Either way, you will panic. You will fear that your beautiful carpet is ruined forever.

And you will wonder what to do.

What you need to know is that whether a simple spill comes out or becomes a permanent stain depends just as much on what you don’t do as what you do. Here are a few recommendations to help increase your chances of a successful stain treating outcome:

DO NOT rub or scrub the carpet with a towel or brush. This will distort the face yarns and cause permanent damage to the surface, which will only amplify the look of any stain.

DO pick up any chunks and then remove the excess liquid by gently blotting or scraping up as much of the spill as you can. If it is a liquid, such as coffee, wine or soda, use a white towel and blot up as much of the spill as possible. Keep blotting until your towel stops absorbing liquid.

DO NOT spread the spot. When scraping up thick spills, such as spaghetti sauce, work gently from the outside edges of the spot toward the middle. Scrape up as much as possible before using any spot cleaners.

DO call a reputable professional cleaning company as soon as possible. Experienced carpet cleaners will have a specialty spotter for just about any type of spill. In addition, they will have the equipment to promptly remove the stain and flush it with fresh water. Prompt professional attention is your best chance to remove spills without damaging the color or texture of your carpet.

DO NOT use cleaning agents from the grocery store. Most often, these products are low quality and ineffective. But even high quality products still need to be used carefully. A cleaning product must be carefully chosen for the type of spot and the kind of fabric that your carpet is made from. If you try to use the wrong product, or use it incorrectly, you may make the spill more difficult or even impossible for even the most experienced professional to remove.

While nobody can guarantee that every spot and stain will come out, by following these tips you will make cleaning up spots and spills much easier. You will be more likely to remove the stain completely, leaving your carpet looking good and helping your carpet to look good for years to come.

Here’s our October 2018 Client Newsletter.

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Water Damage

An absorbing subject

Here’s our September 2018 Client Newsletter.

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Happy New Year!  Here’s our client newsletter for January 2018.

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Understanding Your Carpet and How to Solve Problems

When selecting carpet, choosing the right color is often the most difficult part of the process. Most people make relatively neutral choices, picking colors such as beige, taupe, gray and even off white because they blend well with just about any decor. Yet, carpets in bold colors like burgundy, deep, rich browns, regal blues and purples, soothing greens and even multi-colored patterns are not uncommon either. The interesting thing is that the color itself is not what protects a carpet from stains. Rather, it’s how the color is dyed that matters. When you know how your carpet was colored you can make more informed cleaning and spot treatment choices.

Extrusion and Coloration

Many carpets, such as polyester and Olefin, are created through extrusion. This is the process of melting plastic balls of certain colors, then extruding the liquid through small holes to create strands. In this way the color goes all through the thread; it’s called “solution dyeing.” This creates the most colorfast carpets, fibers which are highly resistant to fading and bleaching because the color goes all the way through. These carpets are most often found in commercial applications, but they can be in private homes as well. One such extruded fiber, Olefin, is common in Berber style carpets. Olefin fibers are not very absorbent, so they are highly stain resistant.

Fiber & Yarn Dyeing

Sometimes, the material is extruded or otherwise turned into rough fibers before color is applied. Then, various methods are used to apply dye to these fibers before they are spun into yarn. This type of dyeing provides great color penetration, but it is expensive and rarely used on carpets; it’s more common on wool and other high end fabrics. If the fiber is spun into yarn, then dyed, this is yarn dyeing, a common way that multiple colors of fibers are then woven into the carpet to make a variety of patterns, as is common in hotels and office buildings.

Print Dyeing

In print dyeing the carpet is made without color variety. Then, dyes are sprayed or painted on the carpet using stencils. This is common on novelty carpets such as playrooms, daycare centers and movie theaters.

The most common dyeing technique is the continuous dye method. After the yarns have been stitched into the backing material, the carpet passes through jets that spray hot dye into the face yarns. This is the fastest and most cost-effective way to dye carpet. Chances are, if you have a light to medium solid-color carpet, it was dyed in this way.

Keeping Carpet Looking Good

The dyeing process of a carpet determines how it resists color loss, fading and bleaching. An experienced cleaning company will know what chemicals and processes to use in order to get the best cleaning and maintenance results from a particular carpet. Using the wrong cleaning agents or processes could result in fading, loss of luster and other issues, so be sure to have your carpets cleaned at least semi-annually by Professional Carpet Systems.

Regardless of the remarkable versatility, attractiveness, and beauty of tile floors, their low-maintenance requirement makes them a favorite. It’s not easy to keep tile floors in great shape. This difficulty occurs due to the permeability of grout.

Grout has a “bad” habit of absorbing dirt and grime that usually build up between the tiles. As time goes by, the grout may start to look black. When this occurs, it’s an indication that the grout needs to be cleaned.

Solely sweeping your floors from day to day won’t keep dirt and dust away. They will more likely accumulate between the tiles, given that the grout lines go deeper than the tile surface. You may even pass over spots while wiping.

Luckily, you can keep your grout looking healthy and clean by employing certain household products. Boost your tile-cleaning regime with these amazing cleaning tips. Let’s go!

Practical Cleaning Methods for Tile Floors

Both organic and commercial products can be used to clean tile floors, but first, you need to wipe the area with a wet cloth or rag before using any cleaning product.

Water and baking make a hell of a cleaner for dirty grout. In truth, it is one of the most effective cleaners for cleaning certain flooring materials.

• Combine equal parts of water and baking soda in a container.
• Apply the solution to the grout lines, then scrub with a firmbrush or an old toothbrush.
• Thoroughly clean grout lines.
• Use fresh water to rinse.

Steps for cleaning discolored or stained grout:

• Combine vinegar and baking soda in a small container, making sure that it doesn’t foam over.
• Apply the solution to the grout lines and allow it to soak for several minutes before scrubbing.
• Rinse thoroughly.

If you wish to use the vinegar and baking soda solution on your marble tiles, you must first test it on a small, hidden section. Keep in mind that vinegar is acidic, which may stain your floors. Instead, you can use Hydrogen Peroxide.

• Create a mixture of Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda in a 1-to-2 ratio.
• Apply the mixture to the grout lines, then scrub thoroughly.
• Rinse well.

NOTE: It’s crucial to let your grout dry for a few hours, then apply a premium grout cleaner for that magic!

Verdict

The permeability of grout makes tile floors very challenging to maintain. Grout absorbs dirt and dust that have accumulated over time, causing the grout to look black. To prevent this, always pay attention to your tile floors, and clean them regularly.

While linoleum and vinyl floors may have their similarities, there are several major differences between the two. Linoleum is usually costlier and typically requires a low level of maintenance.

As a type of flooring material, linoleum is flexible and very powerful. The prime drawback to this type of flooring material is the level of durability that it offers. As a result, great care and persistence must be observed during maintenance.

No need to worry, though. I’ve got you covered! Below, I’ll give you some tips on how to clean your linoleum floors to keep them looking and smelling fresh and clean.

Tips for Cleaning Linoleum Floors

• Clean your linoleum floors with vinegar and water.
• Pour 4-5 drops of vinegar in a bucket of water (about 10 liters).
• Mop the linoleum with the mixture.
• Allow the floor to dry.

NOTE: Perform this procedure at least two times a week for the best results. Using these substances (water and vinegar) continuously will help to keep your linoleum floors in pristine condition.

In addition, vinegar helps to prevent the accumulation of wax.

• Expose your linoleum floors to sunlight by opening up a few windows. When linoleum floors lack exposure to sunlight, they may develop a yellow-looking color.

As a result, you need to regularly open up a few windows to allow the sunlight to beam through.

• Use bleach and water to remove stains. Bleach is a very powerful substance that can help to remove difficult stains. By mixing it with water, you can create an effective and powerful solution.
• Combine 1 part bleach and 4 parts water.
• Scrub the floors with the solution. (Using a sponge or mop is ideal.)
• Re-wipe with vinegar to reduce the corrosiveness of the bleach. Keep in mind that bleach can affect persons with sensitive skin.

Also, be mindful that it’s vital to mop or sweep the linoleum beforehand.

• Use vinegar and warm water to get rid of scuff markings.
• Add a few drops of vinegar to a bucket of warm water.
• Wipe the floor with the solution, making sure to wring before you wipe.

Verdict

Cleaning linoleum floors is one of the easiest tasks you’ll ever perform. As long as you carefully follow the steps and use the right equipment, you’re good to go!

The most powerful solutions for cleaning linoleum floors are water and vinegar and water and bleach. Don’t use too much bleach, though. Skin-sensitive persons may be negatively impacted by its harshness.

Cleaning your linoleum floors has become so easy! Now, you have no excuse for not keeping your home clean and fresh!

Introduction

While furniture can be really expensive, the major headache is getting them professionally cleaned. Your sofa may seem to be getting a little worn out or shabby, but buying new furniture should be at the bottom of your priority list. Sometimes all it needs is just some proper maintenance. Like, seriously.

Professional services can cost you a lot. We’re talking about $150 for cleaning a regular 8-foot-long sofa. For the degree of proficiency that you’ll be acquiring, that may be worthy of the extra cash.

Nevertheless, you may consider freshening up your furniture and save money by trying out these Do-It-Yourself (DIY) upholstery cleaning tips. I’ll be your guide for this wonderful cleaning journey!

DIY Tips for Cleaning Upholstery

Learning how to cleaning your upholstery (by yourself) can help to keep your home fresh without dipping into your pockets whenever upholstery cleaning is required.

Follow these easy furniture upholstery cleaning tips to get started:

• Firstly, you need to test to see if the colors of the material on the upholstery can be washed out or become faded out before actually cleaning. Use any suitable cleaning chemical as the testing agent on a small area that cannot be easily discovered.
• If you decide to steer clear of store-bought cleaners, there’s a simple way of making your own water-based, eco-friendly and non-corrosive upholstery cleaner. Here’s how:
• Combine ¼ cup of dishwashing soap and 1 cup of warm water in a mixing container.
• Use an electric mixer to beat until the liquid becomes really foamy.
• Take off the furniture cushions.
• Use a vacuum attachment to thoroughly vacuum the surfaces. Vacuuming helps to eliminate any dirt that may be present. Just imagine that the water comes into contact with the dirt. That would be a very displeasing situation.
• Use a soft brush to push the soap mixture onto the material.
• Using a spatula, remove the foam.
• If there are leftover suds, use a damp piece of cloth to wipe those away.
• Don’t use too much water as this may cause shrinkage. This is where fibers become changed upon washing and/or drying.
• Leave it there to dry. Depending on the fabric, this may take up to an hour to be dried properly.

Verdict

Whether you decide to clean your upholstery by yourself or turn to professional cleaning services, cleaning your upholstery is very important. Professional cleaning may, at times, be expensive but performing your own cleaning routine can save you a lot of money.

Tiles are usually beautiful, long-lasting and easily cleaned, but removing grout? That is a whole different topic. Due to its commonly light colors, and permeable structure, grout is susceptible to causing stains.

In an Entry and Mudroom area that is tiled, grime and dirt usually present a major problem. However, in places such as the kitchen, the culprits are usually spills. Cleaning grout in bathroom tiles is generally a demanding task, due to the mildew, mold, and soap that accumulate from time to time.

Thankfully, in cleaning grout in the most effective way possible, you may utilize traditional household products along with a small amount of elbow grease.

When you opt to conduct a cleaning routine, it’s usually more preferable to start with the gentlest solution. If it happens that you’re doubtful of a certain cleaning agent, try it on a less visible spot (For e.g. Underneath your couch).

Here are some tips:

• Start off by using a hard brush and fresh water. Just spray the warm water on the grout lines, then scrub in a hoop-like motion. After that, leave it to dry.
• For situations where you have a larger amount of mild stains and dirt, use vinegar. Create an even mixture of warm water and vinegar and top up a spray bottle. Spray the grout with the mixture and leave it for around 4 minutes. Next, use a hard brush to scrub it.
• In order to bring about extra cleaning power, make a puree using water and baking soda. Spread across the grout lines with the puree and shower on the vinegar compound. As soon as the foaming stops, rinse with fresh water after using a brush to scrub it.
• If there exist stains that are not that harsh, you can employ the use of Hydrogen Peroxide. This can be obtained in several drug stores. Beyond that, you may use this product directly on the tiles or create a pulp with Hydrogen Peroxide and baking soda.
• For stains that are extremely hard to remove, and really filthy grout, I recommend employing Oxygen bleach. They come in certain brands like OxiClean and Clorox OxiMagic. Also, make sure to abide by the directions that come with it. Just spread Oxygen bleach across the floor and let it stay for about 10 to 20 minutesbefore you rinse. Never use unclean water to rinse as this may cause dirt to retract into the grout lines.
• To keep grout free from dirt and stains, I really suggest that you sprinkle some vinegar and use a soft cloth to wipe it at least one time per week.

Tiles and grout need to be cleaned on a regular basis to keep your building looking fresh and clean. There are several ways to do this but you have to be willing to spend the time to do it well. Don’t hesitate to go out and start your cleaning today!